Configuring an online account based on a public cryptocurrency key

Abstract

A method of configuring an online account is disclosed comprising using a network of computers to receive a public cryptocurrency address, configuring the online account based on the public cryptocurrency address, and using the network of computers to transmit the public cryptocurrency address to a user computer. Any suitable cryptocurrency may be employed, such as bitcoin or ethereum.

1 . A method of configuring an online account of a user, the method executed at a service provider side of a network of computers, the method comprising:
 using the network of computers to receive a public cryptocurrency address from a user computer of the user;   disabling access to at least part of the online account based on the public cryptocurrency address; and   using the network of computers to transmit the public cryptocurrency address to the user computer.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the public cryptocurrency address is a bitcoin address. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network comprises at least one of an Internet and a cellular network. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising using the network of computers to transmit instructions to the user computer for displaying the public cryptocurrency address on a screen of the user computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the public cryptocurrency address is received during a first login session of the user; and   the public cryptocurrency address is transmitted to the user computer during a second login session of the user.   
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A computer configured to:
 use a network of computers to receive a public cryptocurrency address from a user computer of a user;   disable access to at least part of an online account of the user based on the public cryptocurrency address; and   use the network of computers to transmit the public cryptocurrency address to the user computer.   
     
     
         9 . The computer as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the public cryptocurrency address is a bitcoin address. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The computer as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the network comprises at least one of an Internet and a cellular network. 
     
     
         12 . The computer as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the computer is further configured to use the network of computers to transmit instructions to the user computer for displaying the public cryptocurrency address on a screen of the user computer. 
     
     
         13 . The computer as recited in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the public cryptocurrency address is received during a first login session of the user; and   the public cryptocurrency address is transmitted to the user computer during a second login session of the user.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of configuring an online account, the method executed at a service provider side of a network of computers, the method comprising:
 using the network of computers to receive from a user computer a first public cryptocurrency address;   using an Internet to increase a balance associated with the first public cryptocurrency address by transferring an amount of cryptocurrency from a balance associated with a second public cryptocurrency address to the balance associated with the first public cryptocurrency address; and   configuring the online account based on the first public cryptocurrency address.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising using the network of computers to transmit the second public cryptocurrency address to the user computer. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising receiving a user confirmation from the user computer using the network of computers, wherein the user confirmation confirms that the balance of the first public cryptocurrency address was increased by the service provider. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein configuring the online account comprises disabling access to at least part of the online account. 
     
     
         20 . A computer configured to:
 use a network of computers to receive from a user computer a first public cryptocurrency address;   use an Internet to increase a balance associated with the first public cryptocurrency address by transferring an amount of cryptocurrency from a balance associated with a second public cryptocurrency address to the balance associated with the first public cryptocurrency address; and   configure an online account based on the first public cryptocurrency address.   
     
     
         21 . The computer as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the computer is further configured to use the network of computers to transmit the second public cryptocurrency address to the user computer. 
     
     
         22 . The computer as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the computer is further configured to receive a user confirmation from the user computer using the network of computers, wherein the user confirmation confirms that the balance of the first public cryptocurrency address was increased by the computer. 
     
     
         23 . The computer as recited in  claim 20 , wherein configuring the online account comprises disabling access to at least part of the online account. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein when the first public cryptocurrency address is received, the balance associated with the first public cryptocurrency address is zero. 
     
     
         25 . The computer as recited in  claim 20 , wherein when the first public cryptocurrency address is received, the balance associated with the first public cryptocurrency address is zero.